Covering Garden Grove Huntington Beach Stanton Westminster
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Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, March 16, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com
n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL
Is Measure SS Dead in Water? Council Stalls “New revenue’ search is the approach now By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune SHE’S REVIVING BEACH BLVD. AS THE ROAD TO SUMMER Jennifer Lilley, Stanton’s economic development director (OCT photo)
From Beach Blvd. to Beach Jennifer Lilley credited with key role in reviving Stanton By Reagan Cisar Orange County Tribune
“I loved knowing that it was the road to summer; that’s what [Beach Boulevard] was known for in earlier decades,” said Jennifer Lilley. She is Stanton’s director
Police received a report of the mishap at around 12:38 p.m. and officers were dispatched to the scene, along with a unit of the Orange County Fire Authority, which provides fire and paramedic services to Westminster.
permits and inspections to problem solving in the field. Lilley and her team seek to ensure fair housing for residents, reinvesting in the community through grants and other government assistance programs. Additionally, she works to maintain the existing business community and attract new businesses to Stanton while promoting an open dialogue between the community and local businesses. The Beach Boulevard stretch in Stanton has long been an eyesore, home to a junkyard, vacant buildings, low-
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of community and economic development and has been credited with playing a pivotal role in attracting development to the city, especially on Beach Boulevard. Lilley oversees the building department, where she manages everything from
Pedestrian is hit, killed An elderly man struck by an automobile in Westminster Monday afternoon died from his injuries. According to Commander Kevin McCormick of the WPD, the incident took place in the 8600 block of Westminster Boulevard, east of Newland Street.
Faced with a dire report that the City of Westminster might soon be facing financial implosion, the city council Monday night decided to bypass asking voters to renew an existing onecent sales tax and instead try to find other ways to
raise money. On a 5-0 vote, the council acted to “receive and file” a report predicting that allowing Measure SS – passed by voters in 2016 and expiring this year – to lapse would eventually exhaust reserves and gut city services, and instead consider other ways to generate funds to operate the city. There was very little discussion about the issue, which one city staff member termed “inevitable bankruptcy.” Continued on page 2
n GARDEN GROVE SCHOOL BOARD
Employees will receive a 4.25% boost in pay By Tatum Foulger Orange County Tribune
Labor agreements with teachers and school site maintenance supervisors were approved by the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday night on a 5-0 vote. The agreements were with the employees
represented by the Garden Grove Education Association (teachers and other faculty members) and the Supervisory Unit and will include a 4.25 percent salary increase on the 2021-22 base pay of each employee effective July1, 2021. Also on Tuesday night, some members of the public expressed concerns Continued on page 4
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Despite warnings, no sales tax action Continued from page 1
Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo initially spoke in favor of letting voters decide the issue, but there appeared to be little appetite Tuesday night to act on the sales tax issue at that special meeting. “It is the job of this council and staff to come up with ways to generate more revenue,” said Councilmember Kimberly Ho (District 3). She suggested creating a task force to generate ideas. “I think I work better under pressure. I come up with really excellent ideas under pressure.” She added that if city residents really wanted the matter to go to voters, they could gather enough signatures on a petition to force the matter onto the Nov. 8 ballot. “No one’s stopping you,” she added. The deadline for putting a measure on the ballot is Aug. 12. Ideas floated for plugging the financial hole revolved around the Little Saigon business district. Could the Tet Festival help bring in more tax dollars? Would improving parking and traffic conditions along Bolsa Avenue help? How about revenue from billboards? Interim city manager Christine Cordon, who earlier said that allowing Measure SS to lapse would result in a “devastating loss of services,” said that city staff had “a few ideas; we’re not ready to go public yet.”
All public comments voiced support for putting a renewal of the one-cent sales tax before voters. Diana Carey, a former councilmember who serves as chair of the oversight committee for Measure SS, listed the problems that would result if the tax were allowed to lapse. Uncertainty about the future is “already having an impact,” said Carey, and that to not approve putting the issue before the public wouldn’t “be prudent.” City staff made a presentation on the impact of the city if Measure SS expired. According to the report supplied to the council, if the tax is allowed to lapse, the city will be $10.5 million in the red for the 2022-23 fiscal year, with the gap plugged by the use of reserves. However, by 2024-25, the city would have exhausted its reserves and would have a negative balance of $7 million in that “rainy day fund.” What could be done to stave off what one staff member called “the inevitable bankruptcy”? To make up for the loss of nearly one-quarter of its revenue, the city would have to disband all commissions not required by law, eliminate several senior management positions such as assistant city manager, economic development manager, community services
director, 16 full-time and 14 part-time public works positions and reduce the police force by one-third, equivalent to 24 sworn, 17 non-sworn and 25 part-time employees, and other cutbacks, including slashing recreation and parks.
Pedestrian killed Continued from page 1
JIm Tortolano Editor and Publisher Marilyn Lewis Tortolano General Manager The Orange County Tribune is published on Wednesdays. Address is 9402 Luders Ave., Garden Grove, 92844. E-mail is orangecountytribune@gmail. com. Our website is www.orangecountytribune.com. Phone: (714) 458-1860. Established Aug. 6, 2016. All opinions expressed in The Tribune, unless otherwise stated, are those of the individual writer or artist and not necessarily those of The Tribune. A member of The Associated Press and the Online News Association.
Upon arrival, they found a man in the roadway. He was treated at the scene and taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange in critical condition. The driver of the vehicle remained and spoke with investigating officers. Shortly before 2 p.m., the WPD was notified that the pedestrian had succumbed to his injuries. The victim’s name was withheld pending notification of kin; he was described only as a white male, 65 to 75 years old. An investigation into the cause is underway and neither alcohol nor drugs are considered a factor.
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ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022 3
News&Views Motorcyclist is injured in Westminster
A motorcyclist is in critical condition after a collision with an automobile in Westminster Monday night. According to Commander Kevin McCormack of the WPD, the incident took place in the 15500 block of Magnolia Street (near McFadden Avenue). Police received the report at around 7:49 p.m. and officers responded, along with the Orange County Fire Authority. The motorcyclist was treated at the scene by OCFA paramedics and taken to UCI Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He was indentified as a male Hispanic, 35 to 40 years old. The driver of the auto remained at the scene and cooperated with investigating officers. Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call the WPD at (714) 548-3770.
n HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Fountain bid is rejected A bid for restoration of the fountain at the Central Library was rejected Tuesday night by Huntington Beach City Council. The council voted 6-0 (with Erik Peterson absent) to turn thumbs down on a bid by California Waters Development, Inc. for $2,665,504.99 and to appropriate $2,110,430 from the infrastructure fund account. Instead, the council directed staff to return at a later date with alternative, cost-efficientoptions. The Central Library is located in Central Park at Goldenwest Street and Talbert Avenue.
THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 2022 Memorial Day weekend, complete with parade, food, carnival and more at Village Green
“Essential Workers” will be honored Patrick “Pat” Catlin, who has been elected to serve a second continuing term as President of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association (GGSFA) for the 2021-2022 Calendar Year, has announced the theme of the 62nd Annual Strawberry Festival, to be held live during Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-30, in Garden Grove This year it will be “Celebrating Essential Workers” who have helped us get through this pandemic. Catlin served his first term as President of GGSFA from 2020-2021. Pat Catlin said, “We are looking forward to presenting our festival live again this year in 2022. The festival was on hiatus both in 2020 and 2021 during the worldwide health crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has never happened since the festival began in
1958. Being mindful of the general public’s safety in attending our event this year, we will be installing cleansing stations throughout the festival grounds.” He added, “With the addition of my son, Billy Catlin, joining me as my Associate in the year ahead, and my mother, Sue Catlin, who is in charge of the VIP Breakfast, three generations of the Catlin family will be working on the 2022 Strawberry Festival concurrently. “My late father, Bill Catlin, also served as a volunteer for the Strawberry Festival for over 20 years. It is a great honor and privilege to serve as the president of this wonderful organization.”
Coronavirus has ups, downs New confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths rose in Wednesday’s report from the Orange County Health Care Agency. According to the OCHCA, new cases increased from 155 to 215, but that is still lower than Monday’s three-day average of 285.33. Deaths were up from three to 11, compared to 12.6 in Monday’s average.
Hospitalizations have declined from 140 to 133 and the count of people being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units went from 31 to 29. So far, the OCHCA is reporting that the county has had 543,802 cases, of which 531,639 are considered recovered. The death total is 6,794. Nationally, The New York Times reports that new cases
– over a 14-day period – have declined by 46 percent and deaths by 36 percent.
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Jennifer Lilley, Stanton’s development star Continued from page 1
rent motels, and used car lots. However, in recent years, the Home Key Renovations project has transformed some motels into permanent housing to help individuals get back on their feet. The project includes several rehabilitative services free of charge, such as skills training, after school child care, and resume building. In addition to the Home Key Renovations, developments such as the 22 Beach Retail Center, which includes the Rodeo 39 urban eatery, have replaced run down lots. “[We’re] bringing that charm back to Beach Boulevard,” said Lilley. Born and raised in Orange County, Lilley always thought she would become an architect, however, during her time at Cal Poly Pomona, she discovered the profession of planning. She
realized that instead of drawing buildings for people, she could facilitate conversations and engage with the community to assess needs more holistically. “I had never heard of planning before. People don’t know what it is. Community development is an invisible part of our world,” said Lilley. She says that when residents are informed and connected to local government, community-building flourishes. Lilley’s work has not been limited to the public sector. In 2007, she founded her own consulting firm where she managed 40 employees, but later sold the company to return to public service. “A lot of our planning and professional leaders were getting to be of retirement age, and there were less folks coming in behind. I really saw that gap as something I had a responsibility to fill,” she said.
So Lilley returned to her roots of public service in 2015 as a city planner in Brea and assumed her current position in Stanton in August 2020. Her diversified planning knowledge, passion for communication, and a mind for innovation have worked to create a bright vision for the future of Stanton, say admirers. “I love spaces. I love travel. I love going to new places and exploring along the way. I’ll see some great plaza or landscape or public art and just think; how can I bring this back to what we’re doing in Stanton?” said Lilley. Although Beach Boulevard has seen vast improvements in recent years, growth is far from over. The Town Center Specific Plan is currently paving the way for a transformation in Stanton’s Town Center area into a mixeduse, pedestrian-friendly district. With the help of Jennifer Lilley and her team, the road to summer may well continue to be at the forefront of development in Stanton.
GGUSD board Continued from page 1
about the Vietnamese Dual Immersion Program at John A. Murdy Elementary School in Garden Grove, citing what they felt were large class sizes and a lack of expertise on part of program teachers. Masks, which have been a topic of controversy over the past couple of months, are no longer required at meetings and at GGUSD school sites. “Many emails have been sent about this already. From the student perspective, most students have chosen to remain masked and I want to remind everyone to be respectful of others’ choices,” said Jennifer Tran, a Bolsa Grande High School who is the student representative on the board. The next board meeting is set for Tuesday, April 19.
ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022 5
Arts&Living
Magic “Into the Woods” at the Gem What happens when your wishes start coming true? By Thom deMartino Orange County Tribune
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep ...” Just in time for the grand reopening of California currently underway, the Gem Theater in Garden Grove has thrown wide its doors to the public, inviting audiences to accompany the One More Productions ensemble “Into the Woods.” Directed by Damien Lorton, “Woods” is a tapestry of familiar fairy tales, following the tales of a number of characters from the old stories: the long-suffering Cinderella (a scintillating Erika Baldwin), longing to join the royal ball along with her malicious and abusive Stepmother (Lisa Katherine
A MODERN SPIN ON CLASSIC FAIRY TALES Now on stage at the historic theater in downtown Garden Grove
Stage Review Taylor) and spiteful stepsisters Florinda and Lucinda (a delightfully catty Fiona Wynder and Emmy Fry, respectively);
the slow-witted and gentlehearted Jack (Matthew Rangel) and his mother (an excellent standout performance by Yllary Cajahuaringa) as they struggle to put food on the table; and the Baker and his Wife (Bryan
Great: HHHH Fraser and Nicole Cassesso), wishing they could conceive a child. Continued on page 6
It’s “Hamlet” as you have never seen it By Thom deMartino Orange County Tribune
From the once implacable darkness, the creeping melancholy tones of an indigo sky stir -- casting down upon the uneasy scene below, unfolding beneath the spectral visage of a shattered crown: as a seemingly unmoored prince weighs the irrevocable cost of vengeance... versus nothingness. A powerful, modern, minimalist retelling of one of the most popular of William Shakespeare’s works, “Hamlet”
Stage Review at the Golden West College Mainstage Theater envisions the existentially conflicted Danish prince in a present-day setting, sporting a post-Grunge aesthetic and delivering an electrifying performance. The Tom Amen-directed production opens with Hamlet’s uncle -- now stepfather and King -- Claudius (a wonderfully oily portrayal by Lawrence Hemingway) discussing the state of the kingdom with his
wife Gertrude (Carrie Vinikow) while the sullen and brooding Hamlet (Amanda Zarr) stews over his mother’s abrupt marriage to his uncle so soon after his father’s passing... and the suspicious feeling that there is more to his sudden death. As the queen struggles to keep the peace between her moody son and her former brotherin-law, the prince’s demeanor brightens when he is surprised by the arrival of his old friend and confidante Horatio (Patrick Peterson). Explaining to Hamlet how he had been in the city since
Great: HHHH the funeral, Horatio lets slip that only the night before he beheld a ghostly visage in the castle -- one taking the form of the fallen king. When the bereaved prince insists upon confronting the specter, it is only then that his fears are truly realized, as he learns from the ghost the dark truth of his father’s untimely demise. Swearing Horatio to secrecy, Hamlet chooses to throw off any Continued on page 6
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“Into the Woods” at the Gem Theatre in Garden Grove Continued from page 5
After a quick visit from the effervescent (and hungry) Little Red Ridinghood (Savannah Clayton) on her way to her Grandmother’s (Kaia Fister), the Bakers are visited by their cantankerous neighbor, the Witch (a characteristically marvelous and delightfully over-the-top Adriana Sanchez, gnawing the scenery.) It seems the sins of the father are to blame for the couples infertility, as the Witch relates how the Baker’s father pillaged her garden years before: and not only did she curse the family line, but took elder baker’s young daughter for her own. Protective of the girl to a fault, the Witch has hidden the abundantly-tressed and beautiful Rapunzel (Courtney Hays) in a high and door-less tower in the woods; those same woods where each of the sets of characters must travel through to fulfill their wishes. Jack must sell his beloved cow at market; Red Ridinghood travels to her grandmother’s house (save for a brief, ominous and bawdy interaction with the Big Bad Wolf); Cinderella makes her way to the Ball; and
if the Bakers seek to lift the Witch’s curse, they must bring her a special four items... that happen to belong to the other characters. What follows is a comedy of errors, as the desperate couple quest to gather the ingredients before the third and final midnight, while contending with the morality of their actions and the lengths they – and all the characters – will go to, to bring their wishes to fruition. But the best of intentions, as they say... Though it may feel like Groundhog Day with so many re- and re-re-openings of venues with the gradual relaxing of restrictions, “Into the Woods” at the Gem is the one you’ve been waiting for. The OMP troupe, as always, puts their hearts into this show, and it shows. Equipped with a dazzling new state-of-the-art lighting system and upgrading their lobby as well, the Gem is pulling out all the stops to bring audiences the best in local theater. As previous Gem attendees already know, when it comes to Sanchez and Cassesso, the quality of the performances remains without question, often unparalleled – and it is no exception here. Sanchez
is magnetic with her rapidfire delivery of the musically rhythmic banter, and Cassesso’s hysterical delivery, yet moving portrayal of a woman singleminded when it comes to her dream of motherhood is powerful – particularly when she starts to wonder what lies beyond motherhood, in those same mysterious woods. Fraser’s Baker is earnest and well-intentioned, beautifully sympathetic as he struggles with his family’s legacy and curse; Jon Michell’s performance as the Steward, though relatively brief, makes quite the comedic impact (wink wink, nudge nudge); Rangel’s Jack, with his innocence and lack of guile, could arguably be regarded as the heart of the piece; and the pair of seductive and suave princes (Nick Seigel and Hayden Mangum) delight with performances that are indeed quite charming – even if they themselves are as lecherous as the day is long. Baldwin’s Cinderella is breathtaking: while the show moves in a direction more in line with the older and darker versions of those same fairy tales, this iteration of the mistreated stepsister is more assertive and self-aware...
realizing that what she sought, might not be all she dreamed it to be. Last but not least, “Into the Woods” cannot be discussed without the dual characters of the Narrator and Mysterious Man – both played with aplomb by James Scognamillo. The audience is privy to his fussing over the set and straightening costumes of the other players in the dim lighting at the show’s opening; and his framing and witty delivery is certainly one of the highlights of an already stellar show. Welcoming back audiences with a beloved Sondheim classic, “Into the Woods” at the Gem is a magical and inviting jaunt into the fantasy of the old tales ... and the challenging realities that accompany it. “Into the Woods”, Adriana Sanchez, Nicole Cassesso and Bryan Fraser star in this fairy tale journey to find where our wishes lead us. Playing through March 27 at the Gem Theater, 12852 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA, 92840. Call 714-7419550 x221 or e-mail boxoffice@ onemoreproductions.com for ticketing information. Appropriate for all ages.
This “Hamlet” is as you’ve never seen it Continued from page 5
suspicion of his own inquiries and schemes by playing mad and acting as if he has lost touch with reality... even if, over the course of the story, the audience would be forgiven in wondering if some of that feigned madness might be more than just an act. Meanwhile, the senior advisor to the King, Polonius (the evermercurial Scott Keister) awaits the return of his son Laertes (Tristan Lund) from abroad, as he plays armchair therapist to the royal couple: theorizing that Hamlet’s wildly unpredictable
moods are due to an infatuation with his own beautiful daughter Ophelia (a hauntingly moving Marisa Schlichtman.) But while the young prince may indeed truly adore her, it is that overwhelming inner conflict within him -- between his obligation to avenge his father, and staving off that sheer hopelessness, pointlessness and absurdity of life that tinges and darkens the edges of his thoughts -- that eclipses all else. The stage is set: the die is cast; all the pieces are in place. And it is one troubled, driven
young man’s choices that will inexorably alter all their fates, forever. While the original piece is William Shakespeare’s longest play, the Golden West College production has pared it down a svelte two hours; and while audiences of his works can often be challenged, even intimidated by the Elizabethan English, the multi-layered performances of the players make abundantly clear the context, and where each character stands at any given moment.
ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022 7
Sports Monday: Baseball is on the move Continued from page 8
with a 45-day notice before being implemented. • If the All-Star game is tied after nine innings, the winner will be decided by a league vs. league Home Run Derby. • Some MLB regular season
baseball games will be played in Paris, London, Puerto Rico and Tokyo. Players making those trips would be paid $70,000 each for traveling to Europe and Asia, and $20,000 for Latin America. Overall, Sports Week thinks these are good ideas. Some are goofy, such as paying already wealthy players up to $70G to have to – horror of horrors! – get a free trip to Paris. I guess croissants are very expensive these days. We’re also not too keen on the advertising on uniforms. We don’t want it getting out of hand the way it has in the WNBA and Major League Soccer, where you can’t tell which team is which since the jersey is splashed with a huge corporate logo. But we like adding the DH to the NL, finally catching up with the American League that has used it since 1973. Baseball is slow enough as it is without watching some pitcher
struggling at the plate and killing an otherwise promising rally. MLB teams hit .244 last season and pitchers batted .100. More offense is more appealing. Especially encouraging is the idea of a pitch clock. Proposed but not decided is a 14-second clock with no runners on base and a 19-second clock with runners. We’re not sure what the point of larger bases is, except possibly – heaven forbid! – it would be a place to put more advertising. In summary, a good start on updating America’s first national pastime. Let’s see more of this before the NFL, NBA and college football get too big of a lead among the fans who make – through their TV viewing and ticket-buying – the huge salaries and fat profits possible. “Sports Monday” is written by Pete Zarustica, with wire service reports.
CIF-SS honors awarded Continued from page 8
High of Ontario. Mark Sanchez was named Coach of the Year, and two players – Viggo Nguyen and Shaub Tahir – were named allDivision V. Others honored from The Tribune’s coverage area were: • Division 2A: Trey Wilborn of Edison • Division 3A: Tyler Woods of Orangewood Academy; Ramon Lopez of Ocean View. On the girls’ side, three athletes were honored. • Open Division: Hannah Stines of Orangewood Academy. • Division 5A: Teresa Martinez Perez and Diana Vo, both of Magnolia. Advertising in The OC Tribune (print and website). Call Jim at (714) 458-1860 for details.
Who’s climbing the polls?
Here are this week’s CIF-SS polls for baseball, softball, boys’ volleyball, boys’ tennis and
boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. BASEBALL • Division 1: Huntington Beach is seventh. • Division 2: Pacifica is unranked but received some votes • Division 6: Garden Grove is 10th • Division 7: Los Amigos is first SOFTBALL • Division 1: Pacifica is ninth • Division 2: Marina is ninth • Division 6: Garden Grove s eighth BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL • Divisions 1 and 2: Huntington Beach is eighth • Division 4: Bolsa Grande is fourth • Division 6: Magnolia is ninth. BOYS’ TENNIS • Division 2: Marina is fourth • Division 3: Edison is unranked but received some votes • Division 5: Westminster is seventh
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TheSportsPage
Argonauts, Aztecs Showered With CIF-SS Honors Grove’s Ortega is 4AA top player; Girard and Sanchez win Coach of the Year awards The just-finished high school basketball season brought a lot of excitement, energy and accomplishments to local teams. Now come the accolades. On Monday the All CIF-SS teams were announced for both boys’ and girls’ and recognition came to 10 athletes and two coaches. The highest honors went to the Garden Grove High boys’ program. The Argonauts won the Division 4AA title, and Miguel Ortega was named Player of the Year. Brian Girard is Coach of the Year, and Grove senior Vidal
Prep Sport Spotlight Jimenez was named to the alldivision team. La Quinta’s boys’ team did very well, also. Although the Aztecs didn’t win the Division 5A title, they rose from third place in the Garden Grove League and made a strong run in the CIF Southern California regionals, advancing all the way to the Division V final game before losing to Chaffey Continued on page 7
MIGUEL ORTEGA LED THE ARGOS Senior center-forward in action vs. Segerstrom
THE DH CONQUERS MLB Most pitchers can’t hit like Shohei Ohtani (Angels photo)
Baseball tries to get caught up with rivals Baseball, one of the most hide-bound of major sports – or should we say, horsehide-bound – is finally starting to change. As spring training camps open after an agreement was reached between owners and players in Major League Baseball, the details of the deal point to interesting and mostly encouraging signs that our national pastime is finally starting to wake up and smell the cappuccino. It takes a while to parse the details of the lengthy agreement, but there’s a lot of new stuff in it that would make Ford Frick – a famously change-resistant baseball commissioner – spin in his, uh, dugout. Among the most interesting points are the following: • Adoption of the designated hitter rule for the National
SportsWeek League. • Expanding the playoff pool from 10 to 12 teams. The six division winners in MLB will be joined with three wild card teams in each league. • The home field advantage for the World Series will be determined by the team with the better regular season winloss record. • Uniform and helmet advertising patches allowed. • Potential on-field rules changes could include pitch clocks, limits on defensive shifts and larger bases. Such changes would have to be approved by a committee of management officials, union representatives and one umpire, Continued on page 7